Mission and Values

Mission Statement

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.

GLAD’s Values

Full Equality
GLAD is committed to full equality under law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and people living with HIV.

Diversity
GLAD embraces diversity and inclusion as critical to our mission. We endeavor to ensure that who we are, how we carry out our work, and the issues we address all reflect the rich diversity of the communities that we serve and represent.

Excellence
GLAD aspires to the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in all that we do. We encourage hard work, careful attention to detail, collaboration, good communication, and broad and informed strategic thinking among staff and board.

Leadership
GLAD believes in leading through innovation and action. We are committed to establishing legal precedent in all areas affecting the LGBTQ community, including anti-discrimination law, family law, transgender law, and HIV law, paving the way for advances across the country. We are dedicated to being a cooperative, honest, and committed partner when working in coalition.

GLAD’s Commitment

Civil rights have never been easy to win. Fighting for them takes passion, skill and an absolute determination to prevail. That’s what GLAD delivers every single day. GLAD’s bold and effective advocacy has achieved scores of precedent-setting legal victories to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression, benefiting individuals, couples and families across New England and throughout the United States. Each time GLAD argues a case or tackles an issue, we tear down more of the outdated laws and stereotypes that have denied LGBTQ people and people living with HIV basic protections and opportunities in every area of daily life – family, school, employment, housing, government, health care, and beyond. Whether it’s marriage for same-sex couples, non-discrimination policies for transgender people in the workplace, or protections for people living with HIV, GLAD doesn’t shrink from tough issues. And we don’t compromise on our belief that every person deserves full equality under the law – without exception.